City councilors on Monday said they supported putting a $24 million bond measure that would pay for the center to voters and are set to make an official decision in late June or early July.

West Linn voters last gave the city their opinion on the aquatic
center in a 2004 election, when an advisory measure asking whether
voters supported it narrowly passed.

About half of residents polled in a recent survey said they would support the measure to build the $24 million aquatic center, planned to sit next to Tanner Creek Park and the city's new police station on Parker Road. The center would be open year-round and would feature an indoor pool with slides, gym, running track, classrooms and fitness studios.

Support wasn’t strong enough in the survey to tell whether the measure would pass.

“It’s too close to call,” said Tom Eiland of CFM Strategic Communications, who conducted the survey.

After those participating in the survey were told the center would cost $152 per year for a home valued at $285,000 and that a $75,000 per year subsidy from the city would likely be needed to operate it, 49 percent of participants who responded over the phone and 52 percent online said they would support the measure.

Eiland said that whether the measure passes will likely be determined by who shows up to vote.

A key demographic to target for support will be younger residents. The survey found strongest support for the center was among people ages 18-44, those who have children at home and residents who have lived in the city less than 10 years.

“If younger residents with children at home turn out in mass, it will probably pass,” Eiland said. If they don’t, however, the chances of approval go down, he said.

The West Linn Aquatic Center Task Force, a resident group formed three years ago, recommended the council put the center to a vote despite the uncertainty.

“We have the momentum, we have the analysis, we have the plan, and now we have confirmation that we have a chance,” said Vicki Handy, co-chair of the group.